Blazing Zippers wrote:Several years ago, I learned about hand sanitizing by watching fellows using the restroom and not washing their hands afterward. Good lord, I don't want to touch him by proxy!!!
We aren't fanatics, but use sanitizer, wash our hands, wipe the food containers bought in a grocery, wipe surfaces, and carry bear spray.
Hey, ya never can be tooooo careful!
Come on guys, wash yer hands.

We've never done this... But we probably will be doing this soon. From checking on how long the virus can last on surfaces - we've heard from a few hours to 9 days. 9 days?!

Can we quarantine our mail or our groceries for 9 days?

"I'm out here to enjoy nature -- don't talk to me about the environment!" ~Denny Crane

From an RV perspective, I’d say extra care around water fills and dump stations is reasonable. And you couldn’t get me to use a park restroom. Which is nothing new. And of course easy to say when you’re self contained.

Those with traveling companions are vulnerable if both cannot operate the equipment.

If you’re traveling with kids, I’d declare the playground equipment off limits.

The CDC has guidelines for people with pets who have the COVID-19 and are staying home and treating it themselves.

* *Limit contact with pets & animals:* You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.

* When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a face mask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information.

This is what I copied on Facebook. It has a stick figure with a smile. "This Is Bob. Bob is not panicking. Bob listens to scientists instead of news media. Bob washes his hands all year long because he's not gross and knows basic hygeine. Be like Bob.
We are paying attention to the CDC and other scientists. This is not, as some would have people believe, a political ploy either by the right or left, but is a real problem that needs to be addressed with caution and concern.

I don't have a answer to those of you who full time or travel a lot. Since I live in the country miles from anywhere I always have a large supply of the things I need on hand to keep me going for a couple of weeks.

I am just a weekend camper that sticks close to me home in SW MN. I am most worried that they may close the parks that I go camping at. And, about the time they do that will be the same time that spring gets here and I want to go camping.

They could also suspend or cancel the small, cheap, or free, summer concerts that I go to in my area. Besides being a drag because I would like to go to them it would also be a big expensive hit on local business who rely on that income to make it through the year. Local places like the Arnold's Park Amusement Park would be hit really hard too if they had to close .

Testing for COVID-19 right now is reserved for only those patients with cough, fever and breathing symptoms who also have known exposure.

The problem is that we are seeing an increase in so-called "community exposure". That is, people with COVID-19 with NO known exposure to a known infected person.

Yes, because people with mild cold or flu symptoms are still going to work, grocery store, etc. That's why my doctor's letter emphasized, do not do this.

pasusan wrote:From checking on how long the virus can last on surfaces - we've heard from a few hours to 9 days. 9 days?!

Can we quarantine our mail or our groceries for 9 days?

You can spray or wipe down your groceries before you bring them into the house, with anything from this detailed list from the CDC.

For your mail, you might try what kills ordinary flu viruses: pre-heat your oven to 200°, then turn it off and put the mail in there. You can also put your shoes in there, and put your clothing in the dryer for 10 minutes. I know this stuff from caring for a person with an immune disorder.

But the key thing is, as the director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said in wanderingaimlessly's link above,

"As the trajectory of the outbreak continues, many people in the U.S. will at some point in time this year or next be exposed to this virus, and there’s a good chance many will become sick".

Delaying when you get it means the doctors will have a better idea how to treat you, better stock of medications, etc. But eventually most of us will get it. Hopefully with mild symptoms!